Tag Archives: San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants filled in a hole in their infield, acquiring third baseman, Evan Longoria, for Denard Span and three of their top 30 prospects: Christian Arroyo (1), Matt Krock (25) and Stephen Woods (29).

Previous to trading for Evan Longoria, Pablo Sandoval was slotted to be the Giants everyday third baseman. Last season, in 156 games, Longo hit for a .261 average, an OPS of .737. He slammed 20 home runs and tallied 86 RBIs. On the defensive side of the ball, Longoria posted a fielding percentage of .968; only committing 12 errors in 1,240 defensive innings. Longoria is 32 years old.

Last season for the Giants, Span recorded a batting average of .272, a slugging percentage of .427, and going 12 for 19 in stolen base attempts. Span, 33, was entering the last year of a three year contract with San Francisco.

Christian Arroyo, the Giants number one prospect, had an injury shortened 2017. He split his time between Triple-A and the Big League club. Arroyo, previously considered to be the Giants third baseman of the future, hit .192, slugging three long balls, and getting on base to the tune of .244. in 34 games with the Giants. In 28 contests, with the Sacramento River Cats, he hit .380, with 4 homers and 16 RBIs. Arroyo will be 23 this season.

Matt Krock, ranked 25th in the Giants farm system, spent the season with Single-A Advanced San Jose. In 25 games, the left-hander went 4 and 9 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. He struck out 105 while walking 66. He will be 23 in 2018.

Stephen Woods played 2017 with Single-A Full Augusta. The righty went 6 and 7 in 23 games with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He struck out 113 and walked 64. He is entering his age 23 season.

Following this deal, San Francisco is still in the hunt for an outfielder, starting pitcher, and bullpen help. Now that Denard Span is a Tampa Bay Ray, the Giants will most likely be in the chase for not just one, but two outfielders.

This deal is not the first, nor will it be the last of the Giants 2017 offseason. Mark my words, the Giants are just getting started.

Last week, it was reported that the Giants official offer for the Marlin’s Giancarlo Stanton included RHP Tyler Beede, OF Chris Shaw and 2B Joe Panik.

Now,another report from veteran MLB reporter, Bob Nightingale, has surfaced. It states that when the Giants’ front office heard the report they were “guffawed”. Instead Nightingale said that ” fringe-type guys” were most likely offered. Yet just another chapter in the thriller that is the ‘Stanton Sweepstakes’.

The ‘Stanton Sweepstakes’ have been going on for a while now. Throughout the trade rumors, one question remains constant: will Stanton even end up on a new team? You see, Stanton has a full no trade clause. As a result, Stanton can refuse a trade to anyone, even if the Marlins want to send him off. However, it is now more probable that Stanton will be moved. He has presented a list of teams to the Marlins, to whom he would waive his no trade clause. At the top of that list are the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This morning, conflicting reports surfaced that Stanton was concerned about San Francisco and their depth after a 98-loss season. Conversely, Jon Paul Morosi of MLB Network tweeted that the Miami Marlins are confident that Giancarlo Stanton would except a trade to the Giants if the opportunity presented itself.

“Sources: Giancarlo Stanton has not given formal word to #Marlins that he would accept trade to #SFGiants, but officials involved in talks are optimistic that he ultimately will. @MLBNetwork @MLB” -Jon Morosi via Twitter

The first offer that the Giants submitted to the Marlins was that they would swap Joe Panik, Tyler Beede and Chris Shaw for Giancarlo Stanton and Dee Gordon. Later it was revealed that the Giants would rather trade for just Giancarlo Stanton. The Marlins have reportedly made a counter offer to the Giants, in which they would trade just Giancarlo Stanton for the Giants trio. However, the Giants would have to fork over $250 million of the remaining $295 million on Stanton’s deal.

Stanton would allegedly like to test the Dodgers’ interest in him before he accepts a trade anywhere else.

This past week the news broke that the Giants sent a trade offer to the Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton. Now, the names of the players involved have been released. According to a newly published article by KNBR contributor, Keaton Moore, San Francisco has offered 2B Joe Panik, RHP Tyler Beede and OF Chris Shaw. In return, the Giants would receive Stanton and 2B Dee Gordon.

Here are the 2017 stats of the Giants players to be traded:

Here are the 2017 stats of the Marlins players to be traded:

The Giants’ Joe Panik is entering his age 26 season. Chris Shaw will be 24 when 2018 begins. RHP Tyler Beede will be 25, to start the year. On the flip side, Stanton will be 28 in 2018; while, Dee Gordon will turn 30 in 2018.

Chris Shaw and Tyler Beede are the Giants’ number two and three prospects respectively.

The St. Louis Cardinals have also reportedly submitted an offer for Giancarlo Stanton.

Jake Montero, a reporter for knbr.com, has just published an article on the station’s website, claiming that the San Francisco Giants have indeed submitted a proposal to the Miami Marlins, for the services of prized outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. The offer was first reported by The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal. As part of the deal, the Giants would pick up the majority of the salary left on Stanton’s contract. Stanton still has 10-years and $285 million left on his pact. The exact details of the trade proposal are not known; however, it is speculated that the player headlining the deal is RHP Johnny Cueto, who recently opted into the four years remaining on his contract. Another possible trade piece could be RHP Jeff Samardzija.

What is being deemed the “Stanton Sweepstakes” has been a hot topic since the team was rumored to, and eventually bought, by a Derek Jeter-led investment group. Miami has publicly stated that they are looking to downsize their payroll by a significant sum.

This trade would put the Giants above the luxury-tax threshold for the third straight year, which has considerable consequences. If this trade does indeed go through, look for the Giants to unload some payroll in the coming months.

Other teams considered to be top candidates for a Stanton trade are the Red Sox, Cardinals, and Dodgers. It is worth noting that Stanton has a complete no trade clause and could veto a trade to any team. Stay locked to kpaysports.com for the latest on this unfolding story.

San Francisco Giants’ vice president of baseball operations, and former general manager-Brian Sabean- was recently featured on a podcast. When asked about the Giants offseason moves thus far, and moves yet to come. Sabean stated that:

“We’re coming to the realization that to do what we need to do, to be competitive to start the year, and hopefully let that roll into also making some moves at the deadline is that we’re going to have to make some tough choices. We may have to move some payroll which may mean moving some people that we perhaps under normal circumstances would not. It’s really a deep exercise and we’re not done with the deep dive yet as to how we best go about it.” -Heard on the TK Show

Sabean also mentioned the luxury tax as a concern. San Francisco comes off a season in which they were 64-98. From the very beginning, it was speculated that the Giants would undergo drastic changes this offseason; however, the vocalization of those pursuits by the Giants front office, make it a reality.

If a 64 and 98 record is any indication, the San Francisco Giants must drastically improve if they hope of competing in 2018.

A few things must happen for such a change to occur. One, the bullpen has to be better; and two, outfield offensive production must increase.

Before going nuclear on the bullpen, one must remember that before the season even began, the Giants lost key relief pieces, such as Will Smith to injury. San Francisco’s high-end closer, Mark Melancon, also fell prey to the injury bug-missing most of the year. This season San Francisco’s pen ran to the tune of a 3.91 ERA. If that weren’t enough, they seemed to give up the runs at crucial junctures of the game. If the Giants get everyone back healthy, look for San Francisco’s bullpen to not only have better outings, but be a strong suit of this team moving forward.

The outfield is a whole other animal. Exempting Jarrett Parker and Michael Morse, the Giants kept their starting outfield healthy for the entirety of the season, and yet mainstays like Denard Span and Hunter Pence could not produce the needed output of their positions. Giants outfielders hit for a combined triple slash of .250/.308/.373 . According to MLB.com, if the Giants outfield was its own team, they would rank-in all of Major League Baseball-19th in batting average, 29th in on-base-percentage, and last in slugging.

Thankfully, there are plenty of outfielders on the open market this offseason that would upgrade San Francisco’s outfield. Here are my two best offseason options for the Giants, when it comes to upgrading the outfield.

1. The Giants Reel in a Marlins Outfielder

The Miami Marlins have one of the outfields with the biggest upside. Outfielders that the Giants should target include Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich. It has been reported that San Francisco was linked to Miami’s mashing outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. However, the Giants would have to back up the truck for such a swap. They would have to create a trade package that would send names such as Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, or Brandon Crawford to the Sunshine State. Therefore, it would do more damage than good for the Giants’ playoff hopes to trade for Stanton. In contrast, Ozuna and Yelich would be much more conservative options.

Last season, at the age of 26, Marcell Ozuna posted a triple slash of .312/.376/.548 to go along with 191 hits and 37 home runs in 159 games. In 2017-in his age 25 season- Christian Yelich, recorded a .282/.369/.432 slash line with 170 hits and 18 home runs in 156 games.

2. The Giants Wade into the Waters of Free Agency

Notable 2017 outfield free agents include Jay Bruce, J.D. Martinez and Lorenzo Cain. Each of these players, at one time in their careers have shown that they can excel on the big stage.

In the 2017 ALDS with Cleveland, Bruce played in all 5 games, going 5 for 18 with a double and two homers. In the regular season with the Mets and Indians, Jay Bruce hit to the tune of a .254 average with 67 extra base hits and 101 RBIs in 146 games. By the official end of the 2017 season, Bruce will have played out a 7-year/$63 million contract. Bruce will be 30 at the beginning of the 2018 regular season.

After being acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the deadline, J.D. Martinez helped to carry the Arizona Diamondbacks to the postseason. In 7 games of postseason experience, Martinez has batted .259 with 3 home runs and 6 RBIs. In 119 games this year, Martinez boasts a .303 average with 45 long balls and 104 RBIs. The end of the 2017 season, will mark the end of Martinez’s 2-year/$18.5 million pact. Martinez will be 30 to start 2018.

The Giants know about Lorenzo Cain’s production in the postseason first hand. In 31 playoff games and a World Series Championship, Cain has slashed .295/.376/.377 to go along with 8 extra-baggers and 9 RBis, This year with Kansas City, he hit an even .300, with 15 taters and 26 stolen bases. His 2-year/17.5 million contract will expire at the end of the World Series. Cain will be the eldest of the three to enter the 2018 season at the age of 31.

Of course, there are other free agents and more options for the Giants’ front office to explore. Only time will tell if the Giants were successful this winter.

The Giants will open the regular season, on March 29th, on the road against the Dodgers.

The Giants have announced that Matt Cain will take the mound for the final time today, starting against the Padres. On Wednesday, Cain announced that he would retire at season’s end.

Cain began the season as a starter, but has since moved to the bullpen due to the rocky year he has produced. This year, Cain owns a 3-11 record with a 5.66 ERA, striking out 71 and walking 48.

Originally drafted by San Francisco, Cain has spent 13 seasons with the organization, helping the team to three World Series Championships. The undisputed pinnacle of his career came on June 13, 2012 against the Houston Astros. On that day, Matt would accomplish what no other Giant had done before: pitch a perfect game.

On Friday Morning, Major League Baseball announced that effective immediately, the World Series Most Valuable Player Trophy will be renamed, the Willie Mays Most Valuable Player, for the Giants great.

MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, issued the following statement:

“Major League Baseball is thrilled to honor Willie Mays on our game’s biggest stage and in a manner that befits his many contributions to the sport. Since making ‘The Catch’ on Sept. 29, 1954, Willy has been a part of World Series history. This annual recognition will forever celebrate the life and career of a legend of the national pastime.”

The World Series MVP Award was first handed out in 1955.

In a career that spanned 22 years (1951-1973), the Hall of Famer, Mays, amassed 3,283 hits-523 doubles, 140 triples and 660 homeruns. In addition, Willie tallied 1903 RBIs and posted a slash line of .302/.384/.557.

In the sixth inning of last night’s 2-1 loss to the D-Backs, Brandon Belt took a breaking ball to the helmet and was forced to exit the ballgame. Belt has allegedly experienced concussion symptoms. As a result, San Francisco has place Belt on the 7-day Concussion DL.

In a corresponding move, the Giants called Pablo Sandoval back up to the majors. Sandoval, who signed a minor league pact with the Giants on July 14, went 8 for 38 with 2 extra base hits, 8 RBIs and 3 strikeouts in 12 games with San Jose and Sacramento. Pablo will wear number 48 in his second stint with the Giants. It’s time to dust off those Panda hats.

This week we break down some of the exciting match-ups from last weekend. The “Classic” played between Pleasant Valley and Valley Christian. The thriller at Harrison between Paradise and Encinal. And, we look at wins by Foothill, Anderson and West Valley.

We also preview one of the more competitive weekends in years in high school football with Shasta hosting West Valley, Lassen at Foothill, Red Bluff at Orland, Colusa at Durham, Maxwell and Fall River and two (3-0) teams going at it in Willows and Williams

The Biggs Wolverines were ready to celebrate. With 6:04 remaining they had just completed a 9-minute drive to grab a 21-7 lead over the defending Division V champion Fall River Bulldogs.

But the heart of a champion should never be underestimated. The Bulldogs would drive 60 yards in 2:55 seconds to cut the deficit to 21-14. Then, after recovering an on-side kick the Bulldogs were trying to pull off one of the great comebacks in North Section Championship history. With no timeouts the Bulldogs had a 1st and goal from the Biggs 7 yard line. After a couple of runs nudged the ball to the 3, Fall River’s chances looked to be dim after a fumbled snap. What would follow would be some of the most dramatic North Section Championship football in years.

Check out the video below as we provide the play-by-play as heard right here on KpaySports.com and the KpaySports app……